Mounting for tubular electric lamps



Oct. 21, 1941. J. WERITZ MOUNTING FOR TUBULAR ELECTRIC LAMPS Filed Feb. 2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwua/rvbo'v Jbkn We t'i5 J. WERITZ MOUNTING FOR TUBULAR ELECTRIC LAMPS Filed Feb. 2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I 3mm abfin Werz'Zgy' WWW/a Patented Oct. 21, 1941 m Wei-its, elmm. Application February 2,1939, Serial No. 254,279 Claims. *(Cl. 173-328) The invention relates to the mounting and terminal connections for greatly elongated electric lamps, and especially those which have electrodes at both ends, although it may also be adapted to lamps having terminals at one end only.

The invention has for anobject to improve the manner of effecting the junction between the tubes and the mounting, and the manner of effecting the necessary contacts at each end of the tube in aseparable mounting. It is also an important aim to present means for securing the lamp in the mounting so that it can not work out accidentally by vibration, jarring or engagement with objects or obstructions, and so that good electrical junctions will be assured under all conditions. Another important object is to present a construction for the ends in view whichwill be applicable to use with standard lamps and circuits and which may be produced at low cost by standard manufacturing practices, principally from sheet metal, excepting certain insulation bodies.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts involved in the embodiment of the invention as will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete lamp and reflector unit such as may be installed in market show cases and store windows and elsewhere, this unit embodying my invention. Figure '2 is a longitudinalsection thereof. Figure 3 is a cross section thereof on the line of Figure 2, showing the single terminal mounting.

Figure 3a is a fragmentary section of the receptacle mounting.

Figure 4 is an inner elevation of a double terminalmounting and modification of wire'clamp.

Figure 51s a perspective of a contact plate.

Figure 6 is a plan of the blank for the'last named plate.

Figure- 7 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting, the plug piece, and the terminal end of a lamp tube of Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 of an adaptation of the invention to a lamp having two prongs at the terminals;

- Figure 8a is'a perspective view of the complete lamp and reflector unit. 1

. Figure 9 is a cross section thereof.

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view .of

v the terminal of the last mentioned lamp, the plug piece and mounting.

' serving as a stop to receive the end of the case Figure 11 is a perspective viewoi the wipers of the plugpiece. v

There is illustrated a reflector case I I adapted to be mounted inany usual manner in a show case or elsewhere, and consisting of an elongated sheet metal wall member substantially U-shaped in cross section and closed at one end by anend plate ll, soldered or :weldedto the wall ii. .The

longitudinal edges of the wall portion are turned inward to provide stiffening and reflector-retaining lips I2. The remaining end oi' th'e case is closed by an end fltting |l,"which ismoided oi suitable'materialfltted snugly slidable within the wall and extending into the case a distance, being also iJ-shaped' in cross section and its upper or outer-edges being set snugly under the lips l2.

An external rib ll is iormedron the end fitting thereagai'nst. The case maybe held to the end fitting by any removable fastening.

The end fitting I3 is thickened at its bight portion and a passage formed therethrough to'receive a fixture pipe l5, through which wires may be led-into the case. The end face or thefitting l3 maybe shaped as desired to conform to contemplated uses. The inner edge of the U-shaped part or the fitting is recessed or notchedat' It on each side to permit the passage of wires freely to the case. as will be understood from the context. A reflector ll, of suitable -iorm is engaged slidably in the case, this being usually of sheet metal,

' chromium plated on its inner surfaces and shaped to set snugly within the case with its side walls spaced slightly from the side walls of'the case. The reflector is formed with lateral flanges l8 at its longitudinal edges, of a width transverselyequal to the major dimension of the lip l2, and the extreme edges of these flanges restagainst the walls of the case below or inwardly oi. the lip I2, so as to hold the sides of the reflector flush with the .inner edges 01' the lips and to provide a space between the reflector and case in which wires may be safely extended longitudinally irom the fitting I3 to the tar end of the case, as will appear. The reflector I1 is of a length to be set between the inner end edges of the fltting l3 and the end wall I l of the case, consequently the notches l6 form openings from the interior of the fitting i2 and adjacent part of the reflector to the respective spaces between the reflector, and case at each side. p r

In the present instance, the reflector is formed with angular bends transversely, between which the material is substantially planiiorm. Thus,

the side walls 20 are substantially parallel, al-

also provided in a plane at right angles to .the mean longitudinal plane between the side walls. This back wall is Joined to the side walls by (iiagonal' walls 22 of smaller extent. The side walls are also of greater transverse extent than the back wall, so that their junction with the walls 22 rest against-the curved inner part ofthe case Id.

The reflector is thus held between the lips I2 and tangular in form and may have an inwardly extended end wall 24 at right angles thereto adapted to rest between and againstthe end edges of the reflector l1 and fitting l3. be in registry with the notches l6 so that wires It may though this is not essential, and a back wall 2| is In Figure} the construction is modifled to the extent that the connector and plate 43 are replaced by a plate 45 secured against the under side of the broadened part of the body 33 together with a connector 46 by means of a longer screw 41 engaged with a nut at 43 in the slot 33, theinner end of the spring being held under this nut in the .same position as before described. In this case, in order to afford more room under the body 33 for the connector and screw, the bed piece 50, corresponding to the one 26 before described isnot formed with a channel, but is extended as a flat plate across the face of .the

7 central inner part of the receptacle. It maybe of insulating material and suitably extended beside the receptacle to cover the connectors,- as shown,

. in which event the plates 32 would be omitted.

may be led past the wall 20 into the spaces between the sides of the reflector and case. The cover may be held removably in place by usual screws or other means.

Identical mountings are provided at each end of the device, by which a tubular lamp of glass or other transparent material and of any desired length may be mounted in the reflector. Each mounting consists of a bed piece 26 of sheet iron or brass, pressed to form a central channel part 21 with a flat bottom extended at each end to form mounting ears 28 apertured to receive screws 29 through the wall portion 2|, and having lateral flanges 30 on each side which are extended near the reflector and formed with flanges 3| by which an insulating plate 32 is secured at each side as required. In the present instance, one of these flanges 3| is not used.

Set on the bed piece 26 there is a socket or part set in the channel 21 and secured by screws 34 engaged through the body 33 and screwed into the bottom of the channel part. This body is broadened over the flanges 30 and formed with thick side walls 35 extended outward and flanged to set snugly between the lips l2 of the case. This portion of the body is thus substantially U- shaped in cross section. An integral wall 36 connects thewalls 35 at one end of the space or recess 31 within the body, which recess is formed with a flat bottom face, through which the screws 34 are engaged and countersunk. A nut element 38 is set in the material of this receptacle body centrally of the bottom face of the recess 31 to A plug body 6| is provided, oi'insulating material, the main portion of which is adapted to be setintherecess 31soasto1ieflushwith the body 33 at the two exposed sides. Its inner part is of reduced width between the walls 35, however, so as to accommodate the spring 43 and a thick contact plate 52 suitably secured to the plug and having anextension or inner body plate 53 which lies in the bottom of the recess 31 when the plug is in place. This plate 53 is formed with an extension 54 projected from the plug body and from the receptacle and shaped as a spring plug or clasp to flt an element of a lamp terminal 55 which is permanently secured on the glass tube of the lamp 25 shown in Figures 2 and 7. In the base receptacle body 33 which may be molded of insulating material and includes a central inner receive the fastening screw 58 of a plug to be V described.

A slot 39 is formed through each wall 35 at its base adapted to'receivetheunturned end of a terminal plate 4|! set against the outer side-of the wall and having awire clamp or connector 4| of conventional form thereon secured by the usual screw 42 engaged in the plate 46. A spring contact 43 slightly bowed is also set against the inner face of the wall, with an outturned end present instance the lamp terminal is a disc or washer with a socket or opening 56 formed theretherethrough alined with the nut 38 set in the receptacle body, and a hand screw 58 having a flanged head is engaged loosely through the opening and in the nut 38. The screw is provided with a collar 59 fixed thereon and the body plate 53 is recessed at the inner side around this screw sufliciently to permit some reciprocation of the screw and collar to draw the screw end outward and within the body 5|. The plate is apertured so as to clear the collar 53 safely, as at 66.

' The plug body may also be formed with a cuplike extension 6|, formed integrally with the body portion 52, and adapted to surround the piece 55 and the corresponding part .of the opposite end of the lamp 25, and to also partly surround the end of the glass body of the lamp. This is shown, and necessarily extends a distance beyond the plug body, especially at the inner part of the plug, and to facilitate assembly is formed with mounting being secured on the reflector at each end of the latter, suitable openings being cut in the reflector adjacent the connectors 4| to admit the lead wires, and the parts being cut to proper sizes for assembly, the lead-in wires 63 are en-- .gaged with the connectors, and the insulator cover plates 32 secured thereover,=after which the wires are extended through the passage in the fitting i! into the fixture pipe; The wiring may be started from the opposite direction; if desired.

The reflector is then inserted in the case and pushed slidingly into place, after which the'fltting I8 is inserted in the end of the case and the cover plate 28 secured thereon so that the wall 28' will hold the wires separated, passing through the notches l6 and between the reflector walls 20 and the sides of the case. The fitting 18 being pressed tightly into the end of the case Hi, it is secured .by screws 64 engaged through the case and in suitable threaded openings in the fitting l8.

The construction in Figures 8 to 11 may be the same as in Figures 1 to 3 and 7 as to the struc ture of the case, the reflector, and the mounting of the receptacle, as well as the form of the receptacle body and the wire connections. The use of two contacts in the receptacle is also illustrated, constructed the same as those parts in Figures 3 and 7. The plug element has been side of the blank. The latter is bent up'close against the body of the blank, the two being apertured toreceive a mounting screw, 16, engaged in thebody 61. The opposite side of the piece' v,

is thus capable of slightspringaction for movement away from the underlying face ofv the plug 7 at times. The clip 10 is formed as a springton gue divergent from the planifor'm body portion of the contact piece, its junction with thebody j I including a circular bend adapted to receiveone of the pins 66 therein and extending for slightly more than'18 O degrees, as a 0 spring 16 forming the bight of the clip, so that when a pin is en azed therein it will be yieldingly held against lateral displacement therefrom. There isthus, left a substantial space between the base of the tongues of the clip and the body p rtion of the contact piece, which will.pemiit a pin 66 to be forced into the clip by lateral presentation under the tongue of the clip and movement of the pin laterally until it is pressed into the bight 16.

modified however, to adapt the device to. the a mounting of a-lamp 65, in which two electrode prongs or pins 66 are projected from the end of the lamp, which is customary in certain lamps. The fluorescent lamp of the General Electric The bight 16 and eye 68 maybe so spaced on the plug as to approximate the spacingjof the pins. 66 as nearly as possible,.but it is contem- Company has two such electrodes at each end of the lamp. The plug 61 has an outer or top part plated to have the bight and eye spaced slightly less than the standard spacing'of the pins 66, for additional certainty in'the forming of a positive contact between the pins-and the members of the plug. The contact members on both sides of the plug are secured in place with the unslitted edges of their blanks at the top, and with the tongues 'formedbetween the slits projected upwardly.

The spring brushes are extended divergently up- :ward from their bases, so that when the plug is formed into the receptaclefrom the outer side, I the brushes are compressed by the contacts 43 to a proper degree, as shown in Figure 9.

. The socket contact 68 is formed of sheet metal,

and includes a substantially square blank having a slit centrally of one side .and at right angles thereto, extending half the width of the blank. The material at one side of this slit forms the spring contact brush 68, while the material at the'outer side is bent to'form an eye socket 68, and a mounting tongue part or'ear 12 extending therebeyond and laid flat against the body of the piece. This tongue and body are apertured and receive therethrough a mounting screw 13 secured in the plug body 61 inany approved way. The eye 68 is of a size to snugly receive one of the pins 66 of the lamp, and is located close to the face of the plug which is nearest'the lamp when the plug is in place in the receptacle 33. It will be noted that by this construction the eye 68 is formed as a nearly rigid member, although due to the spacing of the screw 13 from the eye a short distance there is still a measure of resilience and the thickness of the metal of the blank is such that the eye may be slightly expanded by the pin 66 when inserted therein. These pins have rounded, tapered or semi-spherical ends in practice, so that their entry to the socket for a snug fit is facilitated. It should also be noted that the socket 68 is held in a substan- In the use of the last described form of the device, the pins 66 may be simultaneously in-:- serted in the eye 68 andbight 16, or, ifthere is a difference in spacing of the pin points, one may 1 be inserted in the .eye 68,-while-'-the other is simply allowed to project beside the upper part of the space between the tongue of the clip"!!! and the body of the contact plate at"that"side, and after the first pin is'thru'st home, the lamp is rotated on that first pin so as to swing the tially rigid relation to the plug' body by reason a of the proximity of the mounting screw 13.

Th contact means at the opposite side of the plug functions quite differently. The blank for the clip and brush 16-1l includes an additional portion at one side, and is formed with two slits, instead of, one, whereby the clip tongue 161s formed at the i'ront'side of the piece, the spring contact brush 1| is formed centrally thereof, and a mounting car 14 is formed at the extreme second one in an are which will cause it to wipe against either the tongue 16.0r the base of the clip, whereby it willbe caused to enter the bight 16 by lateral movement of the pin. In this move-- ment, the bight portion 66 may be sprung away from the plug body, or may be held in'norm'al relation to the plug or pressed thereagainst. In case the pins 66 are too close together at their ends, this method makes it easier to spring the tips of the pins apart sufiiciently, by the assembly operation, or if desired, the pins may be sprung slightly apart as a preliminary so that after one is inserted. in the eye 68, the other will wipe against the spring arm 16. It will be ap-. preciated that by this manner of functioning'of the parts, a firm contact with the pins will be assured, even if the eye is 'toolarge or the bight 16 too large to clasp the pin snugly'when singly engaged. The arm 10 engaging one pin 66 serves to force the lamp end bodily toward'the opposite side of the plug 61, so that a loose pin at that side will be moved laterally until stopped against one side of'the eye 68. Much in'eilectivenessin lighting, and loss of time fitting-lampsto mountings' will thus be obviated, and variations from standard spacing of the pins 66 will not require correction, nor cause ineifective contacts.

The plugs 61 are engaged, with respective ends 6 of the lamp it while the latter is removed from the reflector device, and the plugs then, in the receptacles from the open side of the reflector device, after which the hand screws II are tightened as before described to retain the lamps-firmlyinplace.

It should be un erstood that the clip form of contact may be 'uplicated at both sides of 'theplugifdesiredsothatonetakestheplabeoi' the eye portion 6l, in which event one could serveas and be termed the eye member,.for use the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

l. A mounting for electric lamps consisting of two receptacles having contacts therein and permanent electric connections thereto, respective plugs insertable and removable from the receptacles having lamp supporting contacts therein and electrically continuous contacts constructed to coengage .the first named contacts by insertion of the plugs in the receptacles, said lamp supporting contacts including a pin-receiving eye substantially rigid on the plug, and a second pin-receiving member open laterally and including a resilient side portion yieidable to a pin rotated around the said eye for wiping contact therewith, and manual means to releasably secure the plugs in the receptacles.

2. A receptacle for two-pin electrical terminals including a body having a fixed socket at one side constructed to receive one pin, and a resiliently supported clip device at the opposite side including resilient relatively yielding members divergent in a direction tangent to a circle having lamp may be inserted longitudinally in the socket 3. The structure of claim 2 inwhich said socket consists 01 a resilient sheet metal strip bent upon itself to form an eye and having its outer por-' .tionsaperturedandsecuredtothebodyinclosed 4. The structure of claim 2 in which said socket consists of a resilient sheet metal strip bent upon itself to form an eye and having its outer portions apertured and secured to the body in closed relation, and said clip consists of a resilient sheet metal strip bent to form divergent portions and a bight constituting a C'-spring. and having an extension to a distance from said divergent portions and bight and secured to said body, as the mounting of. the clip.

5. In a mounting of the character described a receptacle having a plug-receiving recess consisting of two opposed spaced apart walls and a connecting lateral wall and being open on at least two sides between said opposed walls, contact members on'said opposed walls and means to connect the same to an electrical source, a plug insertable between the opposed walls, contact members thereon to engage respective first named contact members, a socket on one contact of the plug and a clip on the other having divergent spring arms presented in a direction tangent to a circle having the socket as its center, arranged and constructed so that one pin 01 a with the other pin of the lamp adjacent the clip, and the latter pin moved into the clip by rotation of the lamp on the first pin, said socket being formed of a blank of resilient sheet metal slit at one. end to form two tongue parts, one

- plug, the other tongue part being bent in the same direction and arranged divergent to the body of the blank whereby to form one of said contacts; said c1ip a1so consisting of a blank of resilient sheet metal slit at one side to form three tongues, an outer one-being bent to form a 0- spring and divergent spring arms, the middle one extended divergcntly from the body of the blank to form the other of said contacts on the plug, and the third being bent close against the body of the blank and secured therewith to the plug.

JOHN WERITZ. 

